Two questions

[IwantTobeANYSP]

I have two very simple questions.

First question, how could i increase my pushups, i can do 10 with out any breaks but then my arms just pretty much give in.

Second, P90X. Is this used to gain muscle and to get into shape? or is it like insanity? My goal is to gain more muscle, which one would i be better off with?

And this may be a dumb question but after the 90 days... what do you do then? do you just keep following the plan?

Oh, and do you need like weights or anything for P90X?

Thank YOU!

[brownj21]

An easy way to increase your pushups is "Grease the Groove."

Basically, you do submaximal sets throughout the day. Do it for 5 straight days, rest on 6th day, then test yourself on 7th day. Repeat process. Just dont go overboard with it, the program has its limits. After about a month, switch to something different.

See post #6 in this thread. This technique and others have been discussed here many times.
http://forums.officer.com/forums/sho...=grease+groove

If this isnt clear, google it or PM me, I have had good success with it for pushups, pullups and situps.

Some people have mentioned trying the program on this website as well:
www.hundredpushups.com


As far as P90X, it is more of a muscular endurance program and it will (if you follow the dietary guide) lean you out rather than bulk you up. The program can be adjusted some according to your needs, though.

Equipment required is a set of dumbbells and pullup bar or you can use resistance bands as a substitute for both (but I recommedn the 1st option).
The program has been discussed a great deal here (do a search and you will see several threads) and of course, all over the internet.

After the 1st 90 days, you can go through again and raise your standards (heavier weights, more reps, etc) or just try something different. There is also a P90X + set of dvds out there to change things up and add to the new challenge.

[IwantTobeANYSP]

An easy way to increase your pushups is "Grease the Groove."

Basically, you do submaximal sets throughout the day. Do it for 5 straight days, rest on 6th day, then test yourself on 7th day. Repeat process. Just dont go overboard with it, the program has its limits. After about a month, switch to something different.

See post #6 in this thread. This technique and others have been discussed here many times.
http://forums.officer.com/forums/sho...=grease+groove

If this isnt clear, google it or PM me, I have had good success with it for pushups, pullups and situps.

Some people have mentioned trying the program on this website as well:
www.hundredpushups.com


As far as P90X, it is more of a muscular endurance program and it will (if you follow the dietary guide) lean you out rather than bulk you up. The program can be adjusted some according to your needs, though.

Equipment required is a set of dumbbells and pullup bar or you can use resistance bands as a substitute for both (but I recommedn the 1st option).
The program has been discussed a great deal here (do a search and you will see several threads) and of course, all over the internet.

After the 1st 90 days, you can go through again and raise your standards (heavier weights, more reps, etc) or just try something different. There is also a P90X + set of dvds out there to change things up and add to the new challenge.

Hey thank you for your reply, i think im going to go along with the P90X. However what are some good dumbbells? hopefully not the $300 bowflex =[ and as for pull up bar, is the iron gym good?

Also, i saw their website and it shows like the creatine powder... do i need to get any of that or no? either way would that improve anything for me?
I guess the recovery stuff

Thank You

[brownj21]

Hey thank you for your reply, i think im going to go along with the P90X. However what are some good dumbbells? hopefully not the $300 bowflex =[ and as for pull up bar, is the iron gym good?

Also, i saw their website and it shows like the creatine powder... do i need to get any of that or no? either way would that improve anything for me?
I guess the recovery stuff

Thank You

The IronGym is a good pullup bar, it will work fine. I HIGHLY recommend that you DO NOT buy the Bowflex selectech dumbbells. You COULD get some Ironmasters or Powerblocks, but the cheapest route, which is just as effective, would be a few sets of adjustable spinlock dumbbells and plenty of pancake style standard weight plates (always check craigslist).

In case you dont know, the spinlock style looks like this:


Again, because of how quickly the program goes, I recommend you get a few sets.

No, you dont NEED creatine and certainly not from them (overpriced Im sure).

PS-I never heard back from you about the power rack or tire flipping stuff.

[IwantTobeANYSP]

The IronGym is a good pullup bar, it will work fine. I HIGHLY recommend that you DO NOT buy the Bowflex selectech dumbbells. You COULD get some Ironmasters or Powerblocks, but the cheapest route, which is just as effective, would be a few sets of adjustable spinlock dumbbells and plenty of pancake style standard weight plates (always check craigslist).

In case you dont know, the spinlock style looks like this:


Again, because of how quickly the program goes, I recommend you get a few sets.

No, you dont NEED creatine and certainly not from them (overpriced Im sure).

PS-I never heard back from you about the power rack or tire flipping stuff.

Thanks a lot, i was hoping i would not need to buy them bowflex dumbbells. When you say a few sets, are you talking about few sets of dumbbells? and how many pounds should i get to start off?

and i replied back about the tire flipping, i asked you a few other questions about where about getting a tire (i'd figure a junk yard) and how many pounds should the tire be and how the hell do i get that it to my house =]


thanks

[brownj21]

Thanks a lot, i was hoping i would not need to buy them bowflex dumbbells. When you say a few sets, are you talking about few sets of dumbbells? and how many pounds should i get to start off?

and i replied back about the tire flipping, i asked you a few other questions about where about getting a tire (i'd figure a junk yard) and how many pounds should the tire be and how the hell do i get that it to my house =]


thanks

The Bowflex dumbbells are overpriced junk. As far as the spinlock dumbbells, you can buy the handles pretty much anywhere (I got a pair at a yard sale for $1 and a pair at target or wal-mart for $12). Then buy the pancake style standard weight plates.
Like this:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=4183607

(you can even find some links of how to make your own handles using some piping purchased from Home Depot).

Be sure to get some 2.5 lb, 5 lb and 10 lb ones so you have plenty of options.

Like I said, I would get at least 2 sets of handles, because the dvds go from one exercise to the next very quickly and if you have to change them much, it will really slow you down. So, if you have 2-3 sets already prepared, you should be good to go (for example: a set of 15s, a set of 20s and a set of 30s).

This is what a spinlock handle looks like
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=11089965

I must repeat-check for used weights locally. You can save a TON!
Weights new cost from .75-$1 per pound. I have seen them as cheap as .15 cent a pound on craigslist and such.

As far as the tire, I never got a reply in my PM box from you. You can get the tires for free at many tire places/dealers, simply call them and ask if they have a truck or tractor tire that you can take off their hands. It costs them money to dispose of them, so if you pick one up, you have just saved them money.
If you saw my video, then you saw that the one I used for deadlifts, rows, shrugs and so on was 266 lbs. Just fyi, 266 lbs is considered too light for flipping for most men. So, if you wanted to do both a 200+ pounder for general exercises (like in my video) and a 400+ pounder for flipping. You need at least a full size truck to get one home.

[IwantTobeANYSP]

Thanks' a lot for your help, i'll try calling some places in the morning.

I wish their was a "Thanks" button.... thats what this site needs =]

[Item9]

Don't forget to get you diet in check if you're considering these changes in fitness. Check other threads for tips if you need them.

[IwantTobeANYSP]

Don't forget to get you diet in check if you're considering these changes in fitness. Check other threads for tips if you need them.

What do you mean check my diet? as in talk to my doctor?

Also will this program make me "bigger" as one would say?

I'm 5'6 and weigh about 150LB

I don't want to look like a skeleton and loose the fat... you know what im talking about?

[brownj21]

What do you mean check my diet? as in talk to my doctor?

Also will this program make me "bigger" as one would say?

I'm 5'6 and weigh about 150LB

I don't want to look like a skeleton and loose the fat... you know what im talking about?

He just means follow the proper diet plan while doing this (or any) program if you want to see real results. Dont cheat and eat a bunch of junk/empty calories.

This program will help strip away body fat, but you will add a little bit of muscle. You may weigh close to the same after its over, but IF you push yourself, stay disciplined and follow the dietary program, you will look and feel different.

[Caiman]

For the push ups go to onehundredpushups.com..follow their plan. It works. After 3 weeks I can do 60 push ups, up from 25 I used to only be able to do.


My cousin uses P90X, she likes it...don't know about gaining muscle through it though as it seems like a conditioning/endurance program.(Correct me if I'm wrong)

Edit: Here ya go: http://www.hundredpushups.com/week1.html

[SintoSaint]

The Bowflex dumbbells are overpriced junk.

+1,000
they are junk. Try these: http://powerblock.com/

You can and will gain muscle on p90x.

[IwantTobeANYSP]

One more question, it says it comes with 12 disc, do you do like one disc a day and after the 12th you repeat? or do you like do one disc for a week... just kinda lost on how this part works.

Thanks

[brownj21]

One more question, it says it comes with 12 disc, do you do like one disc a day and after the 12th you repeat? or do you like do one disc for a week... just kinda lost on how this part works.

Thanks

If you purchase it, ALL of that is clearly explained. Dont worry about trying to figure out the schedule right now. That would be like me trying to plan my 1 year old daughter's future wedding.

The good thing about this program is that is takes out all of the guesswork. So once you purchase, read the manuals and watch the initial "bring it" dvd and you should be ready to begin.

See here for the BASIC info:
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-P90X-W...ou?&id=2337165

Here is a download of the calendar/schedule with more specific info:
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/8733303/...ender-Schedule

Edit: watch this video
http://www.kewego.com/video/iLyROoafM8fB.html

[IwantTobeANYSP]

If you purchase it, ALL of that is clearly explained. Dont worry about trying to figure out the schedule right now. That would be like me trying to plan my 1 year old daughter's future wedding.

The good thing about this program is that is takes out all of the guesswork. So once you purchase, read the manuals and watch the initial "bring it" dvd and you should be ready to begin.

See here for the BASIC info:
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-P90X-W...ou?&id=2337165

Here is a download of the calendar/schedule with more specific info:
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/8733303/...ender-Schedule

Edit: watch this video
http://www.kewego.com/video/iLyROoafM8fB.html

Thanks a lot for that.

I see that it shows "Fish, Protein shake, recovery drink" and some other things...

Would i be able to substitute fish for something else? I'm allergic to fish and do i have to use the P90X recovery drink and protein shake? If not, what will be a good substitute for all three of those?

And what exactly is the Level I, level II, Level III exactly? I can't seem to understand it... =[


Thank You